Category Archives: Domain Rd

The City of Melbourne Engineering Services and Planning continue to demonstrate their incometance.

VCAT had overturned the City Council refusal to grant a planning permit to 157-159 Domain Road

Domain Road retail precinct is supposed to service tegh need of the local residential community yet it is under pressure by developers who which to push out local retail and establish restaurants. night clubs and cafes. The proposed development on Domain Road, where the former post office and news agent were located, is for three story building with cafe on the ground floor and two restaurants, one on each floor above the cafe, The proposed developed is expected to generate demand for over 160 car parking spots

Engineering Services Manager, Geoff Robinson, recommended that car parking provisions be waived for the development, A proposal that was overturned by the elected council, There is barley a car park free in the area as it is, let alone the ability to meet demand imposed by the new development. Surveys undertaken by residents on a Friday night showed their was 7 car parking spots available on Birwood Avenue some 3-400 meters from the Domain site.

How Engineering Services came up with this recommendation is anyone’s guess. The recommendation by Engineering Services to waive car parking influenced the VCAT determination.

Questions are being asked about the integrity of the City’s Engineering Services branch.

Adding to residents s the recent changes to teh Planning Scheme that re-classified the Domain Road precinct from Business one zone to Commercial one Zone. Under the new Zone a licenced premises does not need a planning permit for its use.

Geoff Lawler, Director of Planning was oblivious to the impact of the changes until questions were raised by residents. It has been proven that the changes are having a negative impact as VCAT decision granting a planning was based on the new planning zone changes undermines the objectives of the Melbourne Planning Scheme.

The only saving grace is that the project as it stands is economically not viable. The owner hoes to attract in excess of $800,000 per year in rent. Something that is highly unlikely to see a return for any investor There are a number of conditions on the planning permit that impact on its use most notably the above ground restaurants can only sell alcohol between 5PM and 11,30PM

The maximum noise level as measured from the center of the external court and balconies can not be allowed to exceed 3Db nor will the be allowed to serve drinks on the footpath no restaurant or cafe could remain viable under these conditions let alone command such a high rent. The owner will without doubt be back seeking a review and remove of these constrictions. But this time they will not be incumbered with issues of use and planning thanks to the State Governments planning scheme revisions and the failure of the City of Melbourne to object to the reclassification of this precinct to Commercial one zone.

Chair of Governance and Deputy Chair of Planning, Stephen Mayne reneges on previous undertaking for the City of Melbourne to provide a comprehensive report on the impact of the State Government’s proposed new planning zones which comes into affect on July 1.

Under the proposed new planning regime all ‘Business zones” will be transferred into a new comprehensive ‘anything goes” “Commercial 1” zone which includes an “as of right use” (No planning permit required) for a tavern and gaming venue.

Lord Mayor Robert Doyle, Stephen Mayne and other Councillors accepted in blind faith a verbal undertaking given by the Director of Planning, Geoff Lawler, in closed session of council that existing “overlays” in Melbourne’s planning scheme would protect and prevent the establishment of taverns and gaming venues that adversely affect adjoining residential precincts.

(Clause 22.12 of the City of Melbourne Planning Scheme outlines “Policy” in relation to Gaming venues and Clause 22.22which outlines “Policy” in relation to Licensed premises which both reference Business Zones which are being phased out on July 1)

Geoff Lawler in response to requests for a written report reassured the council and public gallery that “developments such as the one proposed for 157 Domain Rd South Yarra and the establishment of a restaurant/tavern last month would not proceed under the new Planning zone provisions”

Mr Lawler failed to outline exactly which overlays and in what way they would protect the residential amenity of South Yarra.

Clause 22.12 and 22.2 are policy guidelines that apply to the consideration of any new Planing permit application. Under the new Commercial 1 zone a planning permit is no longer required for a licensed Food and Beverage premises such as a Tavern, Gaming venue or Nightclub

If, as is feared, a new application is made after July 1 for a change of use and the developer seeks to exercise his new “As right of use” and reinstates a request for a tavern and it later shown that the advice given by Mr Lawler was false then we can expect calls for both Robert Doyle and Councillor Mayne, along with Geoff Lawler, having mislead the public to resign.

Prudence is the best policy not complacency

A verbal nod and a wink is not satisfactory and fails to instill confidence in the City Council administration of planning.

The onus still lies with the City Council and it’s administration to provide a written assessment outlining in detail which provisions of the Melbourne planning scheme Mr Lawler is relying on when giving his advice.

Any Councillor that is prepared to accept verbal advice should also put their job on line.

New Commercial 1 zone to replace Business 1, 2 zones

34.01 COMMERCIAL 1 ZONE

Shown on the planning scheme map as B1Z, B2Z, B5Z or C1Z.

Purpose

To implement the State Planning Policy Framework and the Local Planning Policy

Framework, including the Municipal Strategic Statement and local planning policies.

To create vibrant mixed use commercial centres for retail, office, business, entertainment and community uses.

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.

Independent Candidate and South Yarra Resident, Anthony van der Craats, has expressed concern that residents South of the Yarra are being ignored and unrepresented. Southbank, St Kilda Road and South Yarra residents are located in part of the electorate that is poorly serviced by the City Council and stuck between two to three State and Federal electorates. More often than not we are ignored by all three teirs of government.

Mr van der Craats who moved from North of the Yarra to the Southern side said part of the problem is that there is no local newspaper that covers the whole of the city and as such we are cut out of the debate and community discussion which does not include residents on the South side of the City

With most city councillors and candidates seeking election to the Melbourne City Council not living in the municipality there is little wonder why residents on the South side are ignored.

There is little infrastructure development and and proper planning. South Yarra, Domain Road in particular is suffering as a result. The City of Melbourne Council’s planning system as failed the local community.

Instead of development that is needed we are facing increasing pressure and proposals for the establishment of bars and night clubs in what is primarily a residential precinct. “The last thing we need is another bar or night club in Domain Road”.

We have lost our local butcher and local post office and lack good quaility amenities and shops. The one thing we need the most is a quaility deli and produce store all we have left is a small fruit shop and a Seven Eleven. A quality local delecatesian that can provide good cheeses, meat and produce is much needed. Instead of food we get bars and night clubs and with it the problems associated with them. Enough is enough.